Affiliate Network: An Essential Element In Affiliate Marketing

The beginning is important, especially a positive beginning, and it depends a lot on the preparation because, without preparation, it would be a bumpy ride. Some can handle hiccups and hurdles en route, other trips, and fall. 

It would be wise to make preparations before venturing into uncharted territory to avoid unfortunate consequences. A career in affiliate marketing also requires a deep understanding of the business and knowledge about the field. If you are all set to try your luck in affiliate marketing, it is important to know the key players: broadly, there are four major players and they are:

• Company/Merchant: Those who make products
• Affiliate Marketer/Publisher: Content creators who promote products 
• Affiliate Networks: Intermediary between Company and affiliates
• Consumer: The end-user

The nature of business demands that all four players should work in tandem because they are interdependent. Here, in this article, the spotlight is on Affiliate Network, its role, and its importance in Affiliate Marketing. 

 What is Affiliate Network?
“An affiliate network acts as an intermediary between publishers (affiliates) and merchant affiliate programs.” 

One of the simplest and easiest definitions of Affiliate Marketing by Wikipedia, it tells you the importance and interdependency of each player on the other.  

According to Investopedia, an affiliate network is a group of associated (or affiliated) companies that sometimes offer compatible or complementary products and will often pass leads to each other. At times, affiliated companies may not operate in the same industry.

Another definition underlines the fact that the affiliate network helps both the websites and publishers to monetize their inventory by providing a variety of options along with the tools for running campaigns.

What does Affiliate Network do?

In comparison to a traditional business where success largely depends upon an effective marketing campaign, the growth of online business is determined by the affiliate network because they provide crucial information to augment the sales – a database of potential customers – valuable information for those merchants who lack resources for sales and advertising.  

The affiliate networks are link sharing systems. The companies, who are part of the network, pass leads to each other, but the onus is on the network to create content to promote the product and not the companies or the brands.  

For example, Moonpreneur is using various affiliate networks to connect with publishers and running their affiliate program so that publishers can opt in for the program directly from this affiliate network and start earning commissions.

How does Affiliate Network work?

Affiliate networks work on a CPA (Cost per Action) basis. 

Importance of Affiliate Network?

Networks are responsible for:

• Providing tools for campaigns
• Offering cross-promotional deals
• Connecting advertisers and publishers
• Acquiring new customers
• Providing performance marketing solutions for publishers
• Building potential customer database
• Monetizing inventories
• Assisting merchants to focus on core competencies

Who are the key players?

Here is a list of some of the key players in the business:

• ShareASale
• ClickDealer
• AvantLink
• Rakuten Marketing
• eBay Partner Network
• Awin
• Clickbank
• CrakRevenue 
• Flex Offers
• Amazon Associates
• Offer Vault
• ShareASale
• CJ Affiliate
• MaxBounty
• Flexoffers

Work from home is the in-thing and Affiliate Marketing suits the trend provided you have the knack to navigate your career in the right direction. 

Your career is an important exam, and you have to pass it with flying colors, therefore immerse yourself in your work, scoop out crucial business information, understand the nuances of the business you are indulging in to set your goals, and define your success
metrics. Understanding the affiliate network will help you make the most of your time.